Cost-benefit analysis of a reduction in elk brucellosis seroprevalence in the southern Greater Yellowstone area
Kauffman M, Boroff K, Peck D, Scurlock B, Logan J, Robinson T, Schumaker B. Cost-benefit analysis of a reduction in elk brucellosis seroprevalence in the southern Greater Yellowstone area
Cattle producers and state wildlife management agencies have undertaken several brucellosis management strategies aimed at reducing the risk of bacterial transmission from elk to cattle grazing in the in the southern greater Yellowstone area. However despite ongoing management efforts, cases of brucellosis continue to crop up in cattle and domestic bison in the GYA, and the wildlife-livestock brucellosis interface appears to be expanding. With decreasing budgets with which to combat brucellosis, a better understanding of the regional cost-effectiveness of available management strategies is necessary. This study is focused on the costs and benefits of management strategies aimed at reducing brucellosis seroprevalence in elk. Specifically, strategies that reduced elk to cattle transmission risk in different ways were evaluated: 1) test and slaughter of seropositive elk; 2) vaccination of elk with Brucellosis abortus strain 19; and 3) low-density feeding of elk. -- First paragraph, Executive Summary.
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- Kauffman, Mandy; Boroff, Kari; Peck, Dannele; Scurlock, Brandon; Logan, Jim; Robinson, Tim; Schumaker, Brant
- Units
- GRYN
- Keywords
- Bison, Brucellosis, Cattle, Elk, Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem